“The danger with uncertain times, is that we seek comfort in certainty,” said Bishop Stephen in his address to synod at the weekend.
In the context of a rise in extremism and conflict, aided by the increasing ‘echo chambers’ of some media channels, we need to respond with faith, he said. He quoted from Pope Francis latest book, Hope: “We need to be humble, to leave space for the Lord, not for our false securities. Tenderness is not weakness: It is a true force.”
The hit film about the papacy, Conclave, has the lead character saying: “There is one sin which I have come to fear above all else...certainty. Certainty is the great enemy of unity…the deadly enemy of tolerance. Our faith is a living thing precisely because it walks hand in hand with doubt. If there was only certainty and no doubt, there would be no mystery and therefore no need for faith.”
Young people were leading the way in exploring faith as a response to the world’s uncertainty – not for easy answers, but as a framework for their questions, he said.
Bishop Stephen concluded: “In our uncertain world, let us not be certain to one another, let us allow space for the mystery, for the doubt and for the faith – for there we will find hope and when we return to dust, we will be with the perfect one.” Read his full address.
Diocesan synod also discussed church buildings and how they can be used for mission, gathering feedback on the future of build heritage and support from the church buildings team. Director of Education Katie Fitzsimmons presented a report on the work of the diocesan board of education and its support for the 42,000 children in church schools in primary and secondary schools in the diocese, reminding synod that the Church’s first involvement in education was rooted in providing an education for those who could not afford one.
The Dean of Salisbury, Nick Papadopulos, brought a motion on Palestine and Israel, asking Christians to engage in prayer, supporting the fragile Christian presence in the Holy Lane, pilgrimage and persuasion or advocacy.
The motion was passionately argued, and it was agreed that the time allowed was not sufficient, so it will be brought back to a future synod.
Watch two of our Diocesan members reflect on the meeting here.